Automobile service table



Nov. 30,. 1948. G. l. SHELTON ETAL 2,454,889

I AUTOMOBILE SERVICE TABLE Filed Jan. 51, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2/ I, 20 M E 177 5 /6 22 /7 /6 /9 5 Z8 :::fi 36 1 :IWWYV 25 I2 7 G]. She/ion 0125 I liLDan/ell.

1948- G. 1 SHELTON ET AL f [2, 3%

AUTOMOBILE SERVICE TABLE Filed Jan. 31, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /8 /9 f6 /7 /5 1/ 37 7L %\z\ z\ 1\ W V r W i awe/1M 6.]. 572611 012 and H Z1. DOM/6J1.

Patented Nov. 30, 19 48 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE George I. Shelton and Henry L. Dowell, Athens, Tex.

Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,494.

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to table structures and more particularly to a table adapted for use in motor vehicles and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a table which may be readily installed upon the dash panel of an automobile, the table proper being quickly adjustable to varying operative posi tions to meet the requirements of an occupant or occupants of the vehicle, and which. may be quickly folded to an out of theway position beneath or behindv the panel of the car.

Many sandwich shops, drink and ice cream stands cater to road side service, many of which provide trays which are attachable to the outside of the motor vehicle door. This con-struction of tray necessitates one person passing food or drink to other occupants of the car, which frequently results in soiled upholstery or clothing from overturned drinks orleaky food packages. Also, in rainy or snowy Weather, the Window of the car must be kept in a lowered position and the food is exposed tothe weather. Withthe present construction of table, these inconveniences are avoided, and furthermore, access to food on the tray may be had by more than one person. The table will also be found useful by travelling men and others requiring the need for a proper support for writing and similar uses, since the table may be readily adjusted to a desired angular position.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a front view of the table attached to the dash panel of a motor vehicle.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the pivot and locking pin employed in the device.

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the mounting bracket illustrating the use of a modified form of pivot and locking pin.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a further form of the pivot and locking pin.

Figure '7 is a similar view of a still further form thereof.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of Figure 1.

Attention is first invited to Figures 1 and 2 wherein a rectangular table I U is shown which may be of any suitable dimensions. Upon the under side of the table there are secured a pair of spaced brackets H. Preferably, the brackets v 2 are secured to-the table by means of rivets l2 countersunk, so as to present a smooth surface. The brackets are extended beyond the rear edge of the table and terminate inrespective bearings iZfo'r mounting of the table upon a support bracket it now to be described, attention being invited particularly to Figure 3". The support bracket consists of a metallic body Hi substantially semi-circular upon one' side, the opposite side being planiformas at i5; for mounting of a spring clamp iii. The spring clasnpcomprises a plate l-l apertured at suitable points for reception of machine screws t8 threadedly engaged in the planiform portion of the bracket. The plate I? is of substantial length and is bent in the form of a helixl fl the free end l9 being bent so as to lie in parallel spaced relation to" the plate il The horizontal flange 20* of the panel 21 is disposed between the free end l9 and the plate ll. The spacing of the plate PT and the end l9 is such as to have frictional binding engagement with the flange- 28', and in addition a set screw rs is" mounted in the free end I 9 adapted to impingeupon the flange for further seourement of the-bracket. r

The body M is formed with a horizontal smooth bore 23 extending throughout the length thereof and receives a pivot pin 24 therethrough, the latter being of a length so as to extend beyond the ends of the body l4 upon respective ends, bearings l2 are engaged and rigidly secured thereto. With this construction, it will be seen that swinging movement of the table will effect rotation of the shaft.

In order that the table may be supported at a desired angle, a detent 25 is incorporated in the body l4, cooperable with the pin 24 to hold the latter against rotation. The body is formed with a transverse opening 26 intermediate of the length of the body and an opening 27 is also formed in the body parallel to the opening 26, the opening 21 intersecting the bore 23. The detent 25 is of hook formation defined by a bight 28 forming a shank portion 29 disposed within the opening 26 and a bill portion 31! positioned within the opening 27 of the body, the latter terminating in a tooth 3| adapted to engage in circumferentially spaced teeth 32 formed in the medial portion of the pivot pin 24., The opening 26 is concentrically enlarged as at 33 forming a shoulder 34, defining a seat for one end of a helical spring 35, which is engaged upon the shank 29. The spring is confined upon the shank by means of an operating knob 36 engaged with the end of the shank. The knob 36 may include a sleeve 31 for partly enand bill which will move the tooth from engage-' ment with the teeth of the pivot pin. The pin 24 is then free to rotate and the table may be moved to a desired position and the detent is then released so that the tooth 3| may'again engage between the teeth of the pivot pin, whereupon the table will be secured in such position.

In Figures 5 and 6 the pivot pin 24 is shown as having a plurality of flat faces 38' for engagement by the bill portion 30, while in Figure F7, circumferentially spaced recesses 39 are formed in the pin into which the end of the bill may be projected.

While we have shown and described preferred forms of the device, this is byway of illustration only, and we consider as our own all such modifications in construction as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A service table comprising a body member having a clamp means for engaging a horizontal flange of an automobile dash panel, said body having a horizontal bore, a pivot pin iournalled in said bore and projecting therebeyond, a table member'rigidly secured to respective projecting portions of the pivot pin, said body member having an opening transverse to the bore and a second opening intersecting the bore, a detent member having a shank slidably disposed in the first opening and a bill member slidably disposed in the second named opening, spring ,means engaged with the shank for drawin the bill member into said bore, said pivot pin having circumferentially spaced interrupted portions adapted to be engaged by said bill, and said shank having an operating knob exteriorly of the body member where by to impart movement of the shank and bill against the action of the spring.

2. A service table comprising a body member having a clamp means for engaging a horizontal flange of an automobile dash panel, said body having a horizontal bore, a pivot pin journalled in said bore and projecting beyond the body member, a table member, said table member having a pair of spaced brackets, each bracket having a bearing for respective ends of the pivot pin and rigidly fixed thereto, said body member having an opening transverse to the bore, said opening having a concentric enlargement at one end, a second opening being formed in said body member parallel to the first opening and intersecting said bore, a detent consisting of a shank, a bight portion and a bill, said shank being slidably disposed in' said first named opening and said bill being slidably engaged in the second named opening and of a, length to project into said bore, a helical spring seated within the concentric enlargement of .the first opening and disposed about the shank,

an operating knob on the shank and engaging thespring, and said pivot pin having circumferentially spaced teeth for selective engagement by said bill.

GEORGE I. SHELTON. HENRY L. DOWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 363,339 Kidder et al May 1'7, 1887 414,961 Wilson Nov. 12, 1889 848,469 Kohler Mar. 26, 1907 915,418 Dexter Mar.- 16, 1909 1,398,496 Saltalamachia Nov. 29, 1921 1,546,737 Le Lande July 21, 1925 1,650,293 Morey et a1 Nov. 22, 1927 1,995,656 Stout Jan. 11, 1934 Howe Jan. 27, 1942 

